SBS Covers the Spring Classics

Tour of Flanders . Sunday 3 April at 10:35pm on SBSONE. Streamed live at Cycling Central from 8:30pm . The Spring Classics are here, and for the first time SBS brings you live coverage of the Tour of Flanders. This 95th edition of the race, won last year by Team Saxo Bank's Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, will challenge riders on a 246 kilometre course consisting of 17 hill climbs. Join Michael Tomalaris and commentary team Matt Keenan and David McKenzie for the Tour of Flanders, this Sunday LIVE on SBSONE........................................................................................................ Paris Roubaix . Sunday 10 April at 10:20pm on SBSONE. Streamed live at Cycling Central from 9pm . It's the toughest of the Spring Classics and it's also the race that every rider dreams of winning. Can Stuart O'Grady create history once again or will Cancellara take back-to-back wins? Join Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen plus the Cycling Central team with all the action from Paris-Roubaix, next Sunday LIVE on SBSONE.

Fashion Stakes 2011

Lew takes an early, and possibly unassailable, lead in the 2011 fashion stakes...

Single Track Masterclass

Many thanks to Colin for showing Alan, Joerg and I the undiscovered bits of the Yarra Trail yesterday afternoon.

Where a single track does not exist Col seems happy to make his own.

A brilliant afternoon in the sunshine by the riverside.

Dinner before pain.

Also I can now partially blog

Don't try this at home

How to catch the bus....

Il Pantani 2011

Age shall not weary them. A great three days riding in the Victorian High Country. Brilliantly organised by Lew.

Basically following the 3 Peaks and Audax Alpine Classic routes, but over three one day stages with accommodation in Bright, Dinner Plain and Anglers Rest. Add a side trip for lunch on day two to the Pressing Shed at the olive farm in Swifts Creek and you have about 300 kms and 5000m for the total journey.

Unlike the 3 Peaks there was sunshine and no rain. It felt like a different place altogether.

Thanks to all that made it such a memorable weekend.

Tour of Flanders training

A bit of background to the training done for one of the Belgium classics by Philippe Gilbert:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azgKCHhcsBc&feature=channel_video_title

A Hill in Spain

Following on from the theme of people doing seemingly impossible things on mountain bikes this beautifully filmed clip comes from the hills and villages of Spain:

http://vimeo.com/20601448

-------- Strade bianche meets Ventoux-------

Melburn Roobaix 2011

Something for those not touring the home of the original on this date....

Melburn Roobaix 2011

Sunday 26 June

The 6th Annual 'Hell of the Northcote' returns.

Cadel reborn

More from Red Kite Prayer....

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Cadel Evans used to be an annoying whiner, prone to piques of anger and spectacular failings of courage when courage might just have won him a race he’d later feel compelled to complain about having lost. Then he won the World Championship. Apparently, wearing the rainbow stripes has a powerful, character-improving effect on its designated bearer. Since that day in Mendrisio, Cadel has been transformed.

Or perhaps this is just what came from training with the late Aldo Sassi for the better part of a decade, and living year round in Italy. Perhaps Sassi’s ways finally took hold, once the high guru of athletic performance was diagnosed with the brain tumor that ended his life. Sassi’s restorative powers were even thought capable of purifying Ricardo Riccó, before the Cobra himself put paid to that possibility. Perhaps the change was taking place in the run up to Worlds. Regardless.

Up to that point, we were used to seeing an exceptionally strong rider who could climb, roll and time trial, a true all-rounder, but one seldom inclined to impose his will on a race. But then the inscrutable Aussie won la Fléche Wallonne, pounding up the Mur de Huy with Alberto Contador fading behind him. It was a hugely impressive win and one that marked a real re-launching of the Evans brand.

Moody and combative became mature and almost statesmanlike. Overly cautious became bold. Bitter became very nearly joyful. This was a rider finally seeming to like his job.

A Giro stage win and green jersey followed. He donned the maillot jaune at the Tour as well, if only briefly. Third at Tirreno-Adriatico. Fourth at Liege-Bastogne-Liege. The man did the stripes proud, not only through his results, but through the style of them and in sterling attitude.
That is why a rider, once easily dismissed as a bit part malcontent, is now revered, and it’s what made seeing him standing atop the final podium at this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico holding that ridiculous trident trophy deeply pleasing. Spraying the crowd down with his valedictory Prosecco, Evans was—at last—worthy.

That he had shed every skinny Italian climber on the road to win Stage 6 in a style entirely reminiscent of his win in Huy last year was revelatory. Rather than simply winning, Evans lit up the race.
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If indeed, it was the rainbow stripes that hastened Evans’ transformation, I can think of a few other riders who might benefit from the treatment.

3 Peaks 2011

The 2011 Three Peaks Challenge continued on with the theme from the 2010 Version.

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Started off in heavy rain and cloud at Falls Creek, rained all the way down to Mt Beauty, rained up and down Tawonga Gap, rained to Harrietville, rained all the way up Mt Hotham, plus impenetrable fog at the top.Finally cleared up coming into Dinner Plain.Became a beautiful sunny day, all the way to Omeo and then out to the turnoff to Falls Creek, past Anglers Rest.The climb is a shocker, finally got to the top at Trapyard Flat, only 25 kms to go, guess what, it started to rain, high winds, thunderstorm and hail. Just great.

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Got back at 1930 very wet and tired.

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Did I say it rained?

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Elapsed time 12 Hrs 13 mins, riding time 11.17.Its a LONG way, 227 kms, and, according to my Garmin, 5819 Metres of climbing.Cycling Bob finished 15 mins ahead of me with Stewart the GP, Steve (original hardman) Hicks about 2030, and Jim and Alan (the great) Contini about 2100. Didn't see any other GORC'S.Half the field didn't finish.

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A great day.

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Regards,Lew

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And from Jim...

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Nice to be back in Melbourne with the sun shining. Looking back on Sunday the event has not got any easier from last year. The third peak was the killer then and was again. The broken sleep I had been having the previous week thinking about the “Stairway to Falls Creek” came back to haunt me. And just in case we had forgotten about the weather there was another burst of rain nearing the top as the sun set!!

As with last year punctures played a role. Steve got nailed at the Dam Wall and walked the last 3 km. Alan punctured further out and did a sensational job changing the tyre etc and proceeding home. (Never seen him do that on Beach Pde but when it really counted he sorted it out. So the Great Contini is now the Great Fixer). In my case I punctured with 8km to go. Changed the tyre and then punctured again with 4.5km to go. I wasn’t game to try and change that one so I just rode on the flat to the finish line.

Capt Stewie led the troops home and I understand he did get out of the Big Ring up the 3rd Peak. However I must report a degree of additional assistance. A flat tyre just before Omeo was timed to perfection with Jorg arriving in the team support vehicle and providing professional assistance. Stewart also conducted a course inspection then night before by taking the circuitous route to Falls via Towonga Gap.

The Hats Off/Helmets Off effort of the day goes to Rob and Lew. A couple of seasoned mountain veterans who blazed away all day and finished just after 7pm. We say Lew at Dinner Plains lunch stop and rightly so he was just changing into his fresh KOM jersey. Just goes to show those medical practitioners are on different stuff to us mere mortals!!
In amongst the mix was Tony Dalton who went past me up the 3rd Peak (while I had dismounted and was walking) making it look easy and managed to comment that it was a tough climb!!

Highlights
· 7 started 7 finished
· The exhilarating ride from Dinner Plains to Omeo with the sun shining through.
· Followed by a sensational traverse around to Anglers Rest. Spec views down to the Mitta Mitta River plus really interesting rocks. All good at that stage.
· Throughout the day it was terrific to be able to keep in touch with the crew. Grouping up or overlapping at most of the check points was really good for morale. So thanks to anyone and everyone who slowed down for me.
· The international support crew - Jorg driving over to Dinner Plains from Falls to see how we were getting on. Then encouraging us on through to Omeo. Then in my case being at the finish line to help me get back to the Accomm. Brilliant.
· Not being catatonic at the end
· Being able to enjoy at least 1 glass of Red Wine at Dinner
· Not being cold (Long Live the Revolution!ary Orange Jacket)

OK so thanks to everyone for making it a week end that will not be forgotten (not sure if that is a good thing or not).

Rgds Jim

3 Peaks 2010

Despite the glossy colour photo of Alan crossing the summit of Mt Hotham being used in the 3 Peaks brochure... my recollection of the Great Contini is not quite as glamorous.

More Strade Bianche

A follow up on the Montepaschi Strade Bianche event from a HTC rider's perspective:

Montepaschi Strade Bianche a race that deserves a lot of respect

This year marked the 5th edition of the Montepaschi Strade Bianche (white roads) race held in and around the city of Siena, Italy. Even though the race is a relatively new event, it already carries a great deal of respect within the pro peloton. The rolling, smooth and not-so-smooth, roads through the region of Chianti pack a serious punch with gradients up to 18% in sections. With the addition of almost 60 kilometers of sterrati (gravel) to be traversed, the event produces a worthy winner each time, much like the more famous Paris-Roubaix in France.

Upon arriving at the starting village of Gaiole in Chianti, I immediately felt like I was stepping back into the 60's. Overcast skies paired with smoke throughout the valley - from the residents burning their freshly trimmed olive branches - added to the feeling of being in a time when everything was black and white. With no race radios, making support from our team vehicles almost impossible, and the image of the eventual winner, Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), starting the race with a tubular strapped over his shoulders the tone was set for the day. I knew the next 190 kilometers would be burned into my memory forever.

Initially, it is easy to say that racing over gravel roads at 60 kilometers per hour (40mph) on just a few millimeters of rubber, elbow to elbow, is a bit extreme. And yes, it was extreme...extremely enjoyable. Of course there were the usual crashes and mechanical issues, just like with every other race, but for the most part it was a safe day. With the narrow and very technical roads, each rider was forced to ride most of the day in a single line and therefore was in charge of their destiny.

Bike handling skills were tested at every turn, and those skills had to be equally matched with powerful legs and lungs to get your body over the short but steep climbs. For me, all of this equals the perfect racing conditions for the fans and riders. Sprinters like Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) and pure climbers like Emanuel Sella (Androni Giocattoli) were still present and active at the end of the race. How often to do see that?

If the UCI is looking to make the racing more exciting, put more races like Strade Bianche on the calendar. The day required 100% focus on all accounts. By the end, every rider agreed that day was equally as intense as it was enjoyable - a rare combination. Maybe having diverse events, such as Strade Bianche, could be the key to providing more excitement to the viewers and even the racers?

Posted by Craig Lewis

Urban Downhill

Some amazing 'helmet cam' footage from the streets of Latin America:

http://vimeo.com/9970489

Strade Bianche

The strade bianche provides a glimpse of cycling's past.



The hilly race through the hills south of Siena has rapidly become a special race on the calendar. Major professional races often inspire Gran Fondo sportive rides but it was the Eroica sportive, where riders have to use bikes made before 1987, which inspired RCS Sport to create the Strade Bianche professional race in 2007.

That first race was captured by Alexandr Kolobnev, and when Fabian Cancellara out sprinted Alessandro Ballan to take the second edition the following spring, a new classic was born.

The 190km race is now a permanent fixture the weekend before Tirreno-Adriatico, and continues to grow in prestige with each passing year. The combination of stirring scenery and combative racing has made it a firm favourite with fans and riders alike, and perhaps the ultimate proof of its appeal has come with the recent trend of inserting Strade Bianche-style stages into the route of the Giro d’Italia on its passage through Tuscany.

From CyclingNews